Sivo vows to fix tackling style in Eels return as Panthers lose Cleary
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Eels winger Maika Sivo has vowed to change his tackling technique as he prepares to return from suspension in the annual Easter Monday clash with Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium.
Sivo will play his first premiership match after serving a three-match ban for a high tackle on Titans utility AJ Brimson in the Pre-Season Challenge and has been named in a reshuffled backline following the loss of halfback Mitchell Moses.
Other major Round 4 team selection news includes:
- Brad Schneider will deputise for injured Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary (hamstring);
- Mavrik Geyer, son of 1991 grand final hero Mark, will make his NRL debut for Penrith from the interchange;
- Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds returns from a knee injury;
- Origin forward David Fifita has been named at 18th man for the Titans after a pre-season pectoral injury;
- Roosters halves Sam Walker and Luke Keary have been cleared to play but prop Lindsay Collins (hamstring) is out;
- Star winger Josh Addo-Carr (shoulder) is included in the Bulldogs’ extended squad;
- Dragons recruit Hame Sele is set to make his first appearance from the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury, and;
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck reverts to fullback for the Warriors after Taine Tuaupiki failed a HIA in last weekend’s defeat of Canberra.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has moved Kiwis playmaker Dylan Brown to halfback in place of Moses (fractured foot), with rookie Blaize Talagi to play five-eighth after starring on debut in the centres against Manly last weekend.
Morgan Harper shifts from wing to centre to accommodate the return of Sivo.
After missing the final four rounds of last year’s competition due to a high tackle on Gold Coast winger Jo Jo Fifita, the Fijian cult hero admitted he needs to amend his technique and has been working hard to do so while suspended.
“It is what it is. I just have to change my tackling technique and go from there,” Sivo said.
“I’ve been practising after every session with our defence coach. I’ve been improving and can’t wait to get back.
“I’ve been doing it for the past two weeks to try to get into the habit of that and then implement that on the field. I don’t want to be on the outside watching the boys play."
Meanwhile, the Sharks will field a significantly depleted forward pack against the Raiders, with Dale Finucane (facial injury), Royce Hunt (calf) and Toby Rudolf (ankle) joining Braden Hamlin-Uele (hamstring) on the sidelines.
Cook Islands international Kayal Iro comes into the Cronulla side at centre, allowing Siosifa Talakai to shift to the second row.
In contrast, Canberra's forward stocks are so strong that for the second round in a row there is no room for Queensland representative Corey Horsburgh, who has been listed in the reserves after playing NSW Cup last week.
James Schiller will play his first NRL game of the year on the wing for the Raiders after Albert Hopoate sustained minor burns to his right arm in a cooking accident on Monday night.
Warriors forward Marata Niukore is set to play his first game of the year following a layoff with a foot injury, while Dylan Walker (ankle) is named on the bench and Wayde Egan (elbow) is a good chance of returning at hooker against Newcastle.
The Dragons forward pack will be bolstered by the return of Francis Molo (suspension), Jacob Liddle (concussion) and Jaydn Su'A (quad) for Saturday's clash with Manly at WIN Stadium.
The Panthers will also be without Scott Sorensen (knee), as well as Cleary, for Thursday night's match against Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
Luke Garner is promoted to start in the back row, with Mavrik Geyer, son of 1991 grand final hero Mark, to make his NRL debut off the bench, while Schneider is the new No.7 in his first NRL match after a stint in England.
